Global issues

PSI campaigns for the interests of public sector workers. Since 1907, when it was founded, PSI has co-ordinated public sector struggles for workers’ rights, gender equality, social and economic justice, and effective and accessible public services.

The main focus of PSI is on Quality Public Services which involves:

Advocating, promoting and lobbying for quality public services.
Strengthening trade unions to help them better defend and improve working conditions
Working with communities and users to help them get the public services they need.

(14 April) It is with deep sadness that we have learned Monday morning 13 April that Hans Engelberts has passed away after a long sickness. Hans Engelberts was General Secretary of the Public Services International from 1981 to 2007. Our thoughts go to his family, his children and grandchildren and his friends in this moment of sorrow and loss.
Having started his trade union career in the predecessor of AbvaKabo in the Netherlands, Hans dedicated his life to the PSI. He has contributed (...)

(16 March 2015) Public service trade union leaders from South East Europe discussed the ongoing impact on public services, workers and communities of the economic crisis and failure of governments to address it. Rising unemployment and increased inequality are some of the consequences. Keenly aware that we need to increase our strength, the union leaders also addressed organising and recruitment. Some positive examples were highlighted. The group also sent a message of support to striking (...)

(9 March 2015) With reform of the health care systems in all countries, there is a growing influence of the private sector especially in Russia. Most of the clinics and activities are minor but there are larger chains in Russia. Unions considered the challenges of organising these private sector workers and the methods to do so also leading to an active membership and preventing the local union branches become instruments of management.
Other issues discussed:
The increase in (...)

(28 January 2015) The European Commission answered EPSU sharing our concerns and those of ETUC over the violence and atrocities committed by ISIS. For a detailed response please see letter:
(23 October 2014) EPSU is very concerned about the terror of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant that affects all working men and women in Syria and Iraq and leads to many refugees seeking safety in Turkey and other countries in the region. EPSU’s affiliates unions including the (...)

(25 August 2014) The Palestinian public service unions have written to PSI detailing the scale of the destruction and loss of human life in Gaza. PSI has issued a call for solidarity in response. "According to the Gaza public sector unions’ report, hospitals and ambulances have been targeted, killing dozens of rescuers and medical workers and endangering anyone providing relief and humanitarian aid to civilians. The report further lists considerable damage to mosques, police and security (...)

(17 July 2014) "Defend the legitimate rights of the working class within a progressive social dimension; promoting a development agenda that puts industrialisation, environmental justice and human progress for equitable and fair growth models at the heart of our common commitments" is one of the message the leaders of the unions from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa sent to the BRICS summit in Forteleza, Brazil.
The summit considered further cooperation between the countries (...)

EPSU and PSI echo the call of the UN Security Council as the number of killed civilians grows.
EPSU and PSI call on the Israeli government and Palestinian parties in Gaza to immediately cease fire and prevent further escalation of the conflict which has already killed 1 Israeli and 200 Palestinians (at 16 July) including women and children and lead to numerous people being injured, homes being demolished and many fleeing to escape the violence.
The rocket attacks of Hamas and bombs of (...)

(30 June 2014) The employers group in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is contesting the right to strike as being part of the conventions on the freedom of association and right to organisation (87) and the right to organise and collective bargaining (98) This is stirred on by the European employers assembled in BusinessEurope in an attempt to weaken the effectiveness of the international labour protection and gains more significance as respect and enforceability of ILO (...)

(12 December 2013) The Ukrainian confederation FPU’s Presidium to which several EPSU members are affiliated had a discussion on 9 December on the political and economic situation in Ukraine. FPU President Iurii Kulyk chaired the meeting. The below are some of the elements of the discussion:
It needs to be recognised that there are additional factors that contributed to the current situation such as a worsening of the economic conditions of many leading enterprises, the growing wage arrears (...)

Our global federation PSI celebrates Human Rights Day, recalling that it marks the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming its principles as the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”.
Human rights are indivisible and cover political, civil, economic and social rights. Nelson Mandela is recognised to be one of the most notable human rights advocates of the twentieth century.
PSI records how the (...)